The Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Professional Hospital Drivers

Abstract

Background : Several reports have suggested that about one-fifth of car accidents are sleep-related and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the major causes of increased daytime sleepiness. Various reports from western countries have shown that different groups of drivers, especially truck drivers have a high prevalence of OSA, which may play a part in the occurrence of car accidents.
Objectives : To determine the frequency of OSA and other sleep related problems in a group of professional drivers.
Study design : Descriptive study.
Methods : All 21 male professional drivers at one government hospital, aged between 27-57 years old, were recruited to the study. Data were collected by clinical examination, questionnaire and overnight polysomnography. OSA was defined as a Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) or an apnea / hypopnea index of over 5 events per hour.
Results : The prevalence of OSA was 4%. Only 1 subject had severe OSA with an RDI of 102. None of them reported having car accidents but 71% reported symptoms of daytime sleepiness.
Conclusion : OSA was not very common among professional drivers in this study but there were other sleep related problems reported which might relate to an increased risk of car accident. Further study of sleep disorders and their association with car accidents in a larger and broader group of drivers is needed.